Houseplants bring life, brightness and vitality to any room. They’re universally loved for their aesthetically pleasing appearance, but beyond this surface layer lies a living, breathing organism that can have a surprising impact on its surroundings. Not only do plants provide us with the oxygen we need to live out our lives, but research also shows that they can benefit our wellbeing in unsuspecting ways. The 10-16th of January is Houseplant Week. So we're looking at the benefits of houseplants, so you can begin to sow the seeds of happiness in your home.
A connection to nature
The hustle and bustle of busy modern life makes connecting with nature a rarity for most people. We spend less time in fresh air and green spaces and more time in front of screens than ever before. Yet, nature offers peace, calm and a plethora of mental health benefits. Immersing ourselves in nature boosts vitamin D levels, encourages creativity and reduces anxiety. So there’s good reason to sneak some more green into your space where you can. Houseplants help to bring the benefits of the outside in by reconnecting us with the beauty of nature—and improving our wellbeing in the process.
Productivity boost
Spent more time working from home since the pandemic began? Homeworking can sometimes pose a challenge to productivity. So setting up a workspace that helps you accomplish your daily tasks is a must. Even when office working—small productivity boosters can be a blessing. So it's welcomed news that studies show plants can enrich workplaces and boost productivity levels¹. Our environment influences us more than we might realise. And it turns out that sprucing up your workspace with a houseplant or two could help you hit those goals you’ve been working towards.
Reduces anxiety and depression
There’s more to houseplant benefits than just their appearance. Studies show that the process of tending to your houseplants can reduce stress levels, as well as feelings of anxiety and depression. Looking after plants provides a therapeutic outlet that can have a surprising impact on your mental state. In fact, the results of these studies have been so successful that the activity is recommended to many patients with depression and anxiety symptoms.
Improved air quality
Some houseplants have the power to pull indoor pollutants from the air that get released from household items. Studies show that the roots and soil of houseplants can reduce the levels of these airborne compounds³. Plants can freshen up the room visually, and they can even freshen up the air too. If you’re looking to ventilate your space, then here are the best plants for the job:
- Spider plants
- Boston ferns
- Bamboo plants
- Peace lilies
- Snake plants
References
Nieuwenhuis, M., Knight, C., Postmes, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 20(3), 199–214. https://doi.org/10.1037/xap0000024
de Seixas, M., Williamson, D., Barker, G., & Vickerstaff, R. (2017). Horticultural therapy in a psychiatric in-patient setting. BJPsych international, 14(4), 87–89. https://doi.org/10.1192/s2056474000002087
Claudio L. (2011). Planting healthier indoor air. Environmental health perspectives, 119(10), A426–A427. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.119-a426
